The Department of Home Affairs (The Department)’s Staff Advancing Gender Equality (SAGE) Network (the Network) was established in 2016 to improve gender equality outcomes by providing a forum that actively encourages the full and equal participation of staff of all genders in the workplace. The Network provides advice, expertise and advocacy within the Department on issues affecting current and future gender equality matters in the APS, and assists in the coordination of activities to meet the Network’s objectives. These are to
- Engage in conversation to help build an inclusive workplace culture
- Drive meaningful change through its Gender Equality Action Plan 2021-26
- Promote diverse voices, flexible workplaces and encourage others to strengthen their leadership capability
- Empower through learning and development, networking and connection across the Department and the wider APS.
The Network is proud to have supported the Share the Dignity charity drive since 2017. Our support for this charity evolved from an awareness of the many people in our communities who are vulnerable and experiencing hardship, particularly during the pandemic. The Share the Dignity charity was instrumental in abolishing the previous $30 million annual tax on tampons and sanitary products.
The charity also runs a school education program to reduce shame and stigma associated with menstruation, and a ‘Creating Period Pride’ competition to promote positive messaging on social media.
Additionally, the charity collects and distributes sanitary products to people who are in crisis, fleeing domestic violence, homeless or vulnerable.
There are three charity drives per year, in March, August, and December with ‘It’s in the bag’, which seeks to end period poverty and reduce shame and stigma around menstruation. The SAGE Network participates in the August charity drive with volunteers establishing collection points across the Department’s offices.
SAGE Network volunteer,Traveller,
Cargo and Trade Systems Branch
Caroline Hatswell, departmental Co-chair of the SAGE Network says, “The SAGE Network demonstrated our ability to continue to support those in need through the Share the Dignity Drive 2022, even with a workforce dispersed across various locations and working across the office and from home. Network members at each collection point did a great job in raising awareness and encouraging both physical and online donations, as well as coordinating the physical drop off of donations. Period poverty and the impact of lack of access to period products is an issue our members feel strongly about and where we can make a real difference.”